Support NeoGAF

[Phase]

With ads…gross

Now instead of lobby and stat screens in between matches you’re gonna get Ozempic commercials.

How to speedrun killing a brand

 

[dem]

The fact that they haven't thrown ONE Activision bone to GamePass is really crazy at this point.

Not even a shitty Crash game?

You can't toss out a Crash Team Rumble?

 

[Montauk]

*IF* true it would mean that internally they don’t believe in Gamepass as sustainable long term anymore, which is a total disaster given how much they invested on it.
It would mean that their new strategy is indeed becoming a leading third party publisher which to be honest makes a lot of sense in their position given the amount of studios they own but basically their console fanbase has been trashed and put under a bus...

I was always irked when Xbox fanboys had the balls to claim that the Game Pass strategy was some sort of dominant power move rather than a clear act of desperation.

I always saw it as a desperate move.

To make my position clear I am an Xbox Series X owner and (discounted) Game Pass Ultimate subscriber who loved the original Xbox and the 360. I don’t have a PS5.

I like the Series X for what it is - powerful and a great third party selection, with GP being great value and basically essential to me as I don’t have much money. Quick Resume etc and the general performance is great. I definitely don’t think the Series X is crap or anything silly like that. I’m a fan, not a fanboy. Brand devotion is sad and I’m 40 years old, that sort of thing should be for 13 year olds.

I bought a PS4 Pro at the tail end of that era. Anyway, I can’t be presented as a Sony fanboy. I’m a gamer.

 

[WitchHunter]

With ads…gross

Now instead of lobby and stat screens in between matches you’re gonna get Ozempic commercials.

They should marry porn and gamepass. Rent a pornstar/of babe and other features would bring in a lot of money. I don't know what MS is doing. All those hormone monkeys would thank them for getting their virginity taken by a russian mail order bride.

 

[Crayon]

This is like watching a train wreck in fast forward.

 

[mayham2199]

Everyone hating on game pass but even if it's not profitable for Microsoft, it's been a pretty nice deal for consumers. I've definitely paid a good amount for it over the years but probably have gotten several dozen full price games out of it over time.

Sure no one has ever denied it's not a great deal. As soon as Sony said they could do it but would have to invest less in games though I wanted nothing to do with it. I'm not so desperate to save money that I'll take incomplete or low quality games for it.

 

[mayham2199]

I think a ton of people are overlooking that Microsoft is a business not your friend. They are looking at the best ROI options and it seems things are very fluid there right now.

I do believe especially with recent rumors about them working with cellular stores they are going to try and push some type of gamepass to mobile devices like Apple Arcade.

They don’t care where their games are they just care about money so I can see a world where their is a new gamepass mobile.

They have a ton of IP’s and can easily pump out a bunch of gotcha gaas titles in the next 2 years

Gacha titles fail all the time. It's not as easy as everyone thinks to just make mobile games and pump out money.

 

[Hohenheim]

There's nothing wrong with being a fan of a brand that has supplied you with decades of entertainment, like Sony or Nintendo. Makes more sense than being a fan of a company that just makes your phone.

The problem comes when people become fanatics and fanboys and can not say anything negative about their fave company, even when it's obvious that they're fucking up.

Definitly makes more sense than being a fan of your phone company.
And yeah, I understand your points. For me it makes more sense to be a fan of the creative forces in the industry. Like i'm a fan of Ken Levine, Miyazaki etc. I adore their art and expression, but that doesn't make me feel any loyality or love towards the companies who release their art on a specific platform.

I'm just very happy with the fact that more games than ever are being made, and that a big % of those games are great!

 

[Heisenberg007]

The next stop is Game Pass price hike.

Game Pass users better pray that Xbox ports lots of games to PlayStation and Switch and that those games sell a lot of copies. Otherwise, Game Pass price is gonna shoot through the roof in no time!

 

[KXVXII9X]

This is basically how I feel coming on Gaf today lol.

 

[ThaMonkeyClaw]

Every Xbox gamer right now...

 

[Red5]

Sad thing is that MS is now sitting on a treasure trove of old and new gaming IP's, Hopefully going third party means these IP's get a chance to sell more.

Tho going third party also means Sony has defacto monopoly on high end console hardware, thankfully I play on PC mostly.

 

[twilo99]

CoD is important for me Phili boy... why u gotta be like that

 

[JohnnyFootball]

Definitly makes more sense than being a fan of your phone company.
And yeah, I understand your points. For me it makes more sense to be a fan of the creative forces in the industry. Like i'm a fan of Ken Levine, Miyazaki etc. I adore their art and expression, but that doesn't make me feel any loyality or love towards the companies who release their art on a specific platform.

I'm just very happy with the fact that more games than ever are being made, and that a big % of those games are great!

Agreed. If Xbox puts out a good game, I will buy it an play it. I will not buy it if is shit. Same with Sony. I can still acknowledge that Sony has done infinitely more to earn my gaming dollars than Microsoft has. My loyatly is to give mea great product and I will pay for it. Give me a shitty product: go pound sand.

 

[Heisenberg007]

Sad thing is that MS is now sitting on a treasure trove of old and new gaming IP's, Hopefully going third party means these IP's get a chance to sell more.

Tho going third party also means Sony has defacto monopoly on high end console hardware, thankfully I play on PC mostly.

The acquired IPs were already or gonna be multiplatform. With Xbox's poor track record of management and game development, these games are likely to sell less than they would have independently.

Bethesda made Skyrim and Fallout independently that sold gangbusters. Then made Starfield under Xbox that didn't impress.
Arkane made Prey and Dishonored independently. Then made Redfall under Xbox.

Being acquired by Xbox will not do these IPs any favors. If anything, it will harm them.

 

[The Pleasure]

Not anymore. I bet the shilling budget is about to get cut too.

Does this mean Colt Softwood is gonna be firm against Microsoft?

 

[JohnnyFootball]

The acquired IPs were already or gonna be multiplatform. With Xbox's poor track record of management and game development, these games are likely to sell less than they would have independently.

Bethesda made Skyrim and Fallout independently that sold gangbusters. Then made Starfield under Xbox that didn't impress.
Arkane made Prey and Dishonored independently. Then made Redfall under Xbox.

Being acquired by Xbox will not do these IPs any favors. If anything, it will harm them.

Yeah, see Rare. MS has owned that studio for 15+ years now and all they have to show for it is Sea of Thieves.

And people wonder why I have little faith that MS will suddenly turn things around with the studios they acquired.

 

[Shake Your Rump]

Why not just get 1 month when you have games you want play. I rather pay 12€ with ads than 70€ without ads.

This is more proof for my hypothesis that the market is now so large, you can have the worst possible idea, and you only need a fraction of a percent to support it.

 

[Syphon Filter]

Timdog acting like he has insider info, hilarious. The gamepass with ads is already known with Tim Stuart’s interview.

what do you mean by gamepass with ads?

 

[Nydius]

Yeah, see Rare. MS has owned that studio for 15+ years now and all they have to show for it is Sea of Thieves.

Rare is a perfect case study for Microsoft's mismanagement of Xbox.

First half of the X360 Rare was pumping out stuff like Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Viva Pinata 1 & 2, Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts, and Jetpack Refueled. All games which Microsoft could have built upon but, instead, around 2008 Xbox became the Gears/Halo/COD box. Rare got turned into their UI design studio and tasked with making avatars and the "New Xbox Experience". When Kinect came along, they shoved Rare into being a Kinect-only studio (Kinect Sports, Kinect Sports 2, Kinect Sports Rivals, supplemental studio to the Star Wars Kinect game).

Xbox could have built on so many Rare IPs but, instead, they exist only as part of Rare Replay and as ship cosmetics in Sea of Thieves as remembrances of days past. Edit: And the Perfect Dark reboot isn't even being done by Rare...

 

[Pelta88]

“Insiders” are claiming higher ups at MS are abandoning day 1 releases on GP. No specific source for that sauce. Just posts on twitter and other forums.

Huge implications if true.

 

[NickFire]

“Insiders” are claiming higher ups at MS are abandoning day 1 releases on GP. No specific source for that sauce. Just posts on twitter and other forums.

Huge implications if true.

I used to think they shifted to a monthly only payment option just in case they want to raise prices. Not so sure that's the only reason anymore.

 

[Justin9mm]

gamepass needs to die. Its not helping anyone but releasing 70 dollar game on day 1 is a mistake.

Let's be honest, there hasn't been a day 1 game on GP worth $70 lol

 

[Syphon Filter]

They will.

 

[Pop]

Some people really thought they would put COD on Gamepass?

Xbox only gamers only want everything for $10 a month. That and Day 1 exclusives killed Gamepass

 

[digoutyoursoul]

 

[Shin-Ra]

GAME PASS evangelists haven’t yet realised how empowering advertising will be to their entertainment experience.

How Microsoft will power Netflix's new ad-supported tier

In July, Netflix named Microsoft as the exclusive technology and sales partner to help power their first ad-supported tier. Today, we celebrate the announcement of Netflix's Basic with Ads lower-priced, ad-supported plan. Learn more.

about.ads.microsoft.com

This launch brings our complementary missions to life – Netflix wants to entertain the world and Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. Together, we are providing an ad-supported model that will empower more people around the globe to access the entertainment they love.

Celebrating one year of Netflix ads

Microsoft Advertising is collaborating with Netflix and advertisers to offer a variety of formats and experiences to reach highly engaged audiences.

about.ads.microsoft.com

As their exclusive technology and sales partner—helping power their ad-supported plan—Microsoft Advertising has been working collaboratively with Netflix and advertisers to offer a variety of formats and experiences to reach highly engaged audiences.

How Microsoft is innovating in video advertising

With unique audiences, exclusive partnerships, and premium scalable supply, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to help you drive value in video and CTV.

about.ads.microsoft.com

Microsoft is exclusively powering Netflix’s ad-supported plan. Microsoft Advertising empowers you to create ads and serve them to deeply engaged, global audiences that are watching some of the most popular series and films on Netflix.

 

[Bry0]

Rare is a perfect case study for Microsoft's mismanagement of Xbox.

First half of the X360 Rare was pumping out stuff like Kameo, Perfect Dark Zero, Viva Pinata 1 & 2, Banjo-Kazooie Nuts and Bolts, and Jetpack Refueled. All games which Microsoft could have built upon but, instead, around 2008 Xbox became the Gears/Halo/COD box. Rare got turned into their UI design studio and tasked with making avatars and the "New Xbox Experience". When Kinect came along, they shoved Rare into being a Kinect-only studio (Kinect Sports, Kinect Sports 2, Kinect Sports Rivals, supplemental studio to the Star Wars Kinect game).

Xbox could have built on so many Rare IPs but, instead, they exist only as part of Rare Replay and as ship cosmetics in Sea of Thieves as remembrances of days past. Edit: And the Perfect Dark reboot isn't even being done by Rare...

They completely obliterated their PC game publishing and studio support when they launched the first Xbox, gutted FASA interactive and defaced IPs and all the focus went to the console market. Halo was a miracle that dropped in their lap out of luck and kept them afloat.

They’ve been doing this for decades.
Steve Jobs was right every time he trashed MS. No vision, no culture, no originality.

 

[demigod]

what do you mean by gamepass with ads?

Platform - Microsoft is exploring the possibility of offering access to Xbox Game Pass streaming in exchange for viewing advertisements in some markets.

Xbox’s chief financial officer Tim Stuart recently told attendees at the Wells Fargo TMT Summit that the company wants to bring Game Pass “to every screen that can play a game”. One potential method of expanding the service’s reach that he floated included offering ad-supported game streaming...

www.neogaf.com

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Wow!

This is like witnessing a trainwreck in slow motion. You know it's just utter fucking carnage but you just can't look away.

 

[Barakov]

 

[Solidus_T]

Sad thing is that MS is now sitting on a treasure trove of old and new gaming IP's, Hopefully going third party means these IP's get a chance to sell more.

Tho going third party also means Sony has defacto monopoly on high end console hardware, thankfully I play on PC mostly.

PC is a much bigger player now to the point where people have access to a wide range of hardware for a wide range of prices. It's part of the reason why Sony is now releasing first party games to PC as well. They can't even escape it with a console that sells very well

 

[simpatico]

There's a timeline where Microsoft gave Bungie the keys to the kingdom instead of letting them walk. Giving them the budget to continue making Halo while also pursuing other creative endeavors. Microsoft buys Epic after the success of Gears. They never do the Kinect thing and the Xbox 720 if just a beefier PS4 with all the focus on games and sharpening Xbox Live. XBLA becomes a cash cow for indies everywhere. Call of Duty, Madden and Fortnite all consider Xbox Live their first home, and so does the normie American gamer.

You could have prevented this.

 

[mckmas8808]

Bobby told them straight to their faces in court it would be a disaster for them to put it on gamepass.

There's already a very popular F2P version so what would it even achieve?

The CEO of Take Two said the samething. So did Jim Ryan. But none of the Xbox guys nor the media want to pay attention.

 

[Three]

GAME PASS evangelists haven’t yet realised how empowering advertising will be to their entertainment experience.

How Microsoft will power Netflix's new ad-supported tier

In July, Netflix named Microsoft as the exclusive technology and sales partner to help power their first ad-supported tier. Today, we celebrate the announcement of Netflix's Basic with Ads lower-priced, ad-supported plan. Learn more.

about.ads.microsoft.com

This launch brings our complementary missions to life – Netflix wants to entertain the world and Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more. Together, we are providing an ad-supported model that will empower more people around the globe to access the entertainment they love.

Celebrating one year of Netflix ads

Microsoft Advertising is collaborating with Netflix and advertisers to offer a variety of formats and experiences to reach highly engaged audiences.

about.ads.microsoft.com

As their exclusive technology and sales partner—helping power their ad-supported plan—Microsoft Advertising has been working collaboratively with Netflix and advertisers to offer a variety of formats and experiences to reach highly engaged audiences.

How Microsoft is innovating in video advertising

With unique audiences, exclusive partnerships, and premium scalable supply, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to help you drive value in video and CTV.

about.ads.microsoft.com

Microsoft is exclusively powering Netflix’s ad-supported plan. Microsoft Advertising empowers you to create ads and serve them to deeply engaged, global audiences that are watching some of the most popular series and films on Netflix.

Netflix has been a shit show recently. They killed Netflix Basic to try and get new people to either go to the ad supported tier or upgrade to a more expensive tier. They also hiked their prices and clamped down on account sharing. The advertising tier must be lucrative enough that they didn't mind getting rid of the Netflix Basic tier and hiking up price on the other tiers.

Netflix price changes UK: how they affect subscribers

Free to read. UK users now have to pay more for Netflix, with multiple membership tiers on offer. We break down the new prices and password-sharing rules

www.thetimes.co.uk

 

[Puscifer]

We know, we've always known.

I think it's even crazier for these people to say that it's supposedly just fine for it to remain unsustainable because Microsoft has deep pockets. No company wants to bleed money, remember Google Fiber? They made the same claims about having all that money till they couldn't do it anymore and it took over 10 years for them to recover and start expanding again. Microsoft is trying to avoid that at this point

 

[Mooreberg]

Not sure there are any specific reasons to believe him of all people, but it would be kind of a bummer. Other than MW / MW2 remasters, the only campaign I have played since Infinite Warfare was MW 2019 (played a good bit of Black Ops 4, but that has no campaign). So to be able to run through the six campaigns I haven't played (never played Ghosts either) would be good for a month or two on Game Pass. They could completely leave out the multiplayer parts so as to not cannibalize the existing latest release each year.

As it stands, my current backlog and the most prominent recent releases on the service being long ass games keeps me from being a subscriber. Everything drops in price eventually, and I'd rather just own the long ass games to play them at my own pace, not needing to subscribe every month to retain (what is often temporary, first party games aside) access to them. Recent example: I bought Halo Infinite for $14.99 from Best Buy, and spent maybe six weeks putting about 35 hours into the campaign and every side mission. That makes way more sense than paying $34 for temporary access to the same campaign.

Game Pass could use a steady flow of AAA games that aren't bloated to the gills with uneeded content and can be finished in a modest amount of time. Not getting stuff like 2+ year old COD games would just be more bungling of this acquisition, and one less bow in Game Pass' quiver.

 

[Iced Arcade]

The fact that timdog is now someone that gets mentioned today is mind boggling.

 

[mckmas8808]

I wish the CMA won its case.

The irony

So ironic. The CMA tried to prevent this for Xbox.

The next stop is Game Pass price hike.

Game Pass users better pray that Xbox ports lots of games to PlayStation and Switch and that those games sell a lot of copies. Otherwise, Game Pass price is gonna shoot through the roof in no time!

OH BOY!!! If it goes up to $20 a month.........*heads explodes*

 

[Puscifer]

So ironic. The CMA tried to prevent this for Xbox.



OH BOY!!! If it goes up to $20 a month.........*heads explodes*

The funny thing is I'd rather subscribe to game fly, I can play what I'm actually interested in vs what's being given to me. Game pass is supposed to be a value but I'm here trying to find it lol

 

[Clear]

Got to be honest, I don't know how many of these leaks/rumours/tweets should be trusted, but Holy Fuck from a PR perspective this is apocalyptic!

I mean, MS really has to manage this. Seeing all these former brand ambassadors meltdown at the same time is just wild! I mean, even if every allegation was categorically refuted tomorrow, these guys are BURNED.

Because of from where and whom these leaks have come - irrespective of their accuracy... Its just incredibly damaging to their public image. These are former shills who have turned into prophets of doom overnight! When does this ever happen?

Gonna be very interesting seeing what the chosen spin turns out to be. And make no mistake whatever you hear next out of MS is going to be very calculated.

 

[MacReady13]

We know, we've always known.

I mean, some of us here have been blowing this horn loudly for quite a while now. Short term gain for long term pain. Fuck game rentals.

 

[mckmas8808]

Colin Moritorty said this about Gamepass 2 weeks ago after the Larian CEO made his statement about subscription services on consoles. It's time stamped.

 

[H From Steps]

I remember one of my buddies was telling me how there’s no way Microsoft would put cod on gamepass if they purchase activision. ding ding ding I guess he was right

Ps he works for Microsoft

 

[Clintizzle]

Ah shit. I really wanted COD on Gamepass.

Ah well.

 

[CLW]

These ideas are All 1000% completely moronic so yep Phil definitely putting them in place

 

[delirium trigger]

They can sell 20 million copies every year. Never made sense for them to buy the franchise just for game pass. Would lover it for free, however. Hopefully the old games go on there.

 

[nordique]

Maybe they should have just made games for the system?

2-3 games per year just doesn’t cut it

 

[The Pleasure]

There's a timeline where Microsoft gave Bungie the keys to the kingdom instead of letting them walk. Giving them the budget to continue making Halo while also pursuing other creative endeavors. Microsoft buys Epic after the success of Gears. They never do the Kinect thing and the Xbox 720 if just a beefier PS4 with all the focus on games and sharpening Xbox Live. XBLA becomes a cash cow for indies everywhere. Call of Duty, Madden and Fortnite all consider Xbox Live their first home, and so does the normie American gamer.

You could have prevented this.

Is this Xbox having a dream for a Final Fantasy? Their best showing was the 360 and it still lost to Sony who was a year late and two hundred dollars more.

 

[Coconutt]

Just bought a ROG Ally this weekend and it came with like 4 free months of game pass ultimate, I hope game pass doesn't die before then. Truly is the best deal in gaming when I can get persona 3 reload for free.